Ford Deplores Anti-zionist Resolution

A White House spokesman said yesterday that President Ford deplored the anti-Zionist resolution adopted by the General Assembly Monday as “a wholly unjustified action” but did not know if the President planned any concrete action to show his displeasure. The spokesman replied “no” when asked if the U.S. contemplated leaving the United Nations.

Responding to questions by reporters, White House Deputy Press Secretary William Greener read the following statement. “The United States representative at the United Nations has already expressed the United States’ official reaction to the General Assembly vote. As you know, the President has previously spoken out on this issue and in the aftermath of last night’s General Assembly vote, re-emphasizes his views of the deplorable nature of this wholly unjustified action.”

Greener disclosed that in the course of a 20-minute meeting the President held at the White House yesterday morning with seven visiting members of the Israeli Knesset who are here as guests of Congress. Ford affirmed “his belief that adoption of the resolution undermines the principles on which the UN is based.” Greener said that at the meeting with the MKs, the President also “reaffirmed his strong commitment to maintaining the momentum of negotiations aimed at a just and durable settlement in that area (the Middle East) and to the survival and security of the State of Israel.” (See separate story on the MKs.)